Title of Invention

"A TYRE COMPRISING A TREAD EXTENDED BY TWO SIDE-WALLS AND TWO BEADS"

Abstract A tyre comprising a tread extended by two side-walls and two beads, a carcass reinforcement anchored in the two beads, the tyre being composed, under the tread, at least of a belt reinforcement and the carcass reinforcement, said carcass reinforcement being formed of cords, wherein, in the region under the tread: (a) the cords of the carcass reinforcement which are arranged furthest toward the inside of the tyre are in contact with a first layer of cushion compound of low modulus of elasticity which is radially on the inside relative to said cords; and (b) the cords of the carcass reinforcement which are arranged furthest toward the outside of the tyre are in contact with a second layer of cushion compound which is radially on the outside to said cords, characterized in that said second layer of cushion compound is also in contact with the cords of the belt reinforcement which are arranged radially furthest toward the inside of the tyre.
Full Text That we are om possession of an invention for "A " tyre comprising a Tread extended by two Side walls and two beads.a coreass reinforcement anshored the two beads.
The invention relates to the crowns of tires and especially to the cushion compounds in contact with the cords that reinforce these crowns.
The crowns of tires usually comprise a carcass reinforcement, belting, usually
with at least two reinforcing plies, and a tread. These crowns are in contact with the ground and

transmit to the wheels, via the sidewalls and the beads, the transverse forces necessary for
steering the vehicles. For the on-road behavior of the vehicles to be satisfactory, it is necessary

for the crowns to be very rigid relative, for example, to the sidewalls. An on-going goal is to attempt to obtain this kind of high rigidity simply and in the most economical way possible.
It is well known that the cushion compounds that bind the reinforcing cords of the belting play a part in obtaining a high rigidity. This is why these cushion compounds usually have a high modulus of elasticity. By contrast, the cushion compounds for the carcass cords usually have a low modulus of elasticity because they need to withstand without damage the high amounts of deformation they experience in the sidewalls of the tires.
Furthermore, there is a great deal of research currently being carried out in an attempt to reduce the fuel consumption of road vehicles. To this end, the desire is to design tires which have a very low rolling resistance while keeping the other properties, namely of wear, adherence, behavior, etc. the same, and to do so in the most economical way possible.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The subject of the invention is a tire in which the crown structure is improved to make it easier to manufacture and thus make it more economical, as well as to improve its quality and performance.
Another subject of the invention is, in a first alternative form, an embodiment of
the tire according to the invention designed chiefly to improve the rigidity of the crown and,

according to a second alternative form, an embodiment intended chiefly to lower the rolling resistance.
In that which follows, the term "cord" is understood to mean both monofilaments
and multifilaments, or assemblies, such as ply cords, twisted cords, or alternatively any kind of equivalent assembly, this being irrespective of the material and treatment of these cords which may, for example, have a surface treatment or be coated or pre-coated with adhesive to encourage them to stick to the rubber.
For a given reinforcing ply, the term "layer of cushion compound" is understood to be the rubber blend in contact with these ply-reinforcing cords, which sticks to these cords and fills the gaps between adjacent cords. In common industrial practice, for a given carcass-reinforcing ply, the same type of cushion compound is used for the various regions of the tire.
"Contact" between a cord and a layer of cushion compound is understood to mean that at least some of the external circumference of the cord is in close contact with the rubber blend forming the cushion compound.
The "modulus of elasticity" of a rubber blend is understood to be a secant extension modulus obtained at a deformation in uni-axial extension of the order of 10% at room temperature.
When a rubber blend is stressed sinusoidally, for example for a given deformation e* = e0eωt, the steady-state response of this blend is itself also sinusoidal and phase-shifted by an angle 6, δ,Ó* = o0ej(ωt+δ). A complex modulus G* =Ó*/* - Oo/e0ejδ= G' + jG" is defined, with a
representing the stress in MPa. A "dynamic modulus" G' and a "dynamic loss modulus" G" are
/
defined. The ratio tan 6 = G"/G' is termed the damping factor. Measurements are taken under cyclic shear stress at a frequency of 10 Hz, at a temperature of 60°C and for a peak-to-peak dynamic deformation of 10%.
The tire according to the invention comprises a tread extended by two sidewalls and two beads, and a carcass reinforcement anchored in the two beads. The tire is composed, in the region under the tread, at least of belting and of the carcass reinforcement. The carcass reinforcement in the region under the tread consists of cords such that:
a) the cords of the carcass reinforcement which are arranged furthest toward
the inside of the tire are in contact with a first layer of cushion compound
of low modulus ot elasticity which is radially on the inside relative to
these cords; and
b) the cords of the carcass reinforcement which is arranged furthest toward
the outside of the tire are in contact with a second layer of cushion
compound that is radially on the outside relative to these cords, this second
layer of cushion compound also being in contact with the cords of the
belting which are arranged radially furthest toward the inside of the tire.
The tire according to the invention has the advantage that under the tread, it has just one layer of cushion compound that is between the carcass reinforcement and the first crown ply of the belting. This makes it possible for the properties and nature of this layer of single cushion compound to be specially chosen to suit the objectives of the tire designer. This also
simplifies manufacture as hitherto it was always considered necessary to have a specific cushion
compound with which to impregnate the cords of the carcass reinforcement and another specific one for impregnating the cords of the belting.
By way of example, a high modulus of elasticity of between 7 and 25 MPa and
compound.
This gives a crown whose rigidity is very high, giving it excellent strength at high speeds.
In another alternative form, a low modulus of elasticity, of less than 6 MPa and preferably of between 2 and 5 MPa may be selected for this second layer of single cushion compound. This makes it possible to reduce the hysteresis energy expended during running and thus to reduce the resistance to travel of the tire in question.
In a preferred embodiment, a blend with very low hysteresis us selected, for example, one that has a damping factor tan 5 value of less than 0.08.
Accordingly, there is provided a tyre comprising a tread extended by two side-walls and two beads, a carcass reinforcement anchored in the two beads, the tyre being composed, under the tread, at least of a belt reinforcement and the carcass reinforcement, said carcass reinforcement being formed of cords, wherein, in the region under the tread:
(a) the cords of the carcass reinforcement which are arranged furthest
toward the inside of the tyre are in contact with a first layer of cushion
low modulus of elasticity of less then 6 Mpa which is radially on the inside
relative to said cords; and
(b) the cords of the carcass reinforcement which are arranged furthest
toward the outside of the tyre are in contact with a second layer of
cushion compound which is radially on the outside to said cords,
characterized in that said second layer of cushion compound is also in contact with the cords of the belt reinforcement which are arranged radially furthest toward the inside of the tyre.
DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
The invention is now described by means of the appended drawing in which:
Figure 1 depicts a partial cross section through the crown of a conventional tire;
Figure 2 depicts a partial cross section through the crown of a tire according to the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Depicted in Figure 1 in partial cross section is the crown of a conventional tire. This crown 1 comprises a tread 2, cords 3 of a first ply of the belting, a first layer of cushion compound 4 radially on the inside relative to the cords 3, a carcass reinforcement consisting of a circumferential alignment of cords 5 with, in the region under the tread 2, a second layer of
cushion compound 6 radially on the outside of the cords 5, a layer of cushion compound 7 which is radially on the inside of the cords 5 and a sealing compound 8 known as the "internal compound" is along the interior wall of the crown 1.
Between the reinforcing cords 3 of the first ply of the belting and the cords 5 of the carcass reinforcement there are two layers 4 and 6 of cushion compound. These two layers usually have very different mechanical properties, the layer 4 having a high modulus of elasticity and the layer 6 having a low modulus of elasticity.
Figure 2 depicts in partial cross section the crown 10 of a tire according to the invention. The distinguishing feature of this crown 10 is that there is just a single layer of cushion compound 15 in contact with the cords 13 of the first ply of the belting and with the cords 14 of the carcass reinforcement. Beyond the crown 10, in a sidewall region, the cords 14 of the carcass reinforcement are in contact radially on the outside with another layer of cushion compound 16 of low modulus of elasticity. The separation between the layers 15 and 16 here is exactly at the end of the crown-reinforcing ply. It is, however, possible, as appropriate, for this limit to be offset axially either toward the outside or toward the inside.
This crown structure therefore has the advantage of having one fewer layer of cushion compound, which makes the tire easier to manufacture and reduces its cost.
Some 185/65 R 14 tires were manufactured for testing, with the following configurations:
the crown of the control tire A included two layers 4. 6 of cushion compound between the cords 5 of the carcass reinforcement and the cords
3 of the belting, one layer of cushion compound 6 having a low modulus of elasticity (2.5 MPa) in contact with the cords 5 and one layer of cushion compound 4 having a high modulus of elasticity (13 MPa) in contact with the cords 3 of the belting;
the crown of the tire B had a single layer of cushion compound 15 between the cords 14 of the carcass reinforcement and the cords 13 of the belting, this cushion compound 15 having a high modulus of elasticity (13 MPa); the tire C was similar to the tire B but the single layer of cushion compound 15 had a low modulus of elasticity (2.5 MPa). The results of trials demonstrated an improvement of the order of 5% in the
longitudinal and transverse rigidity for the tire B relative to the control tire A, as well as better
performance in splitting and high-speed strength tests, but by contrast a poor result was obtained
in terms of resistance to travel.
The tire C relative to the control displayed a saving of the order of 2% in terms of
resistance to travel.
These trials demonstrate the advantage of being able to adjust the rigidity and
hysteresis of the layer of a single cushion compound between the carcass reinforcement and the
first ply of the belting to suit the objectives of the tire designer.
For producing the various tires according to the invention it is highly
advantageous to construct them on a rigid core that dictates the shape of their internal cavity. All
the constituent parts of the tire are laid onto this core in the order required by the final design,
these components being placed directly in their final position without requiring any shaping at and ie in the construction. This construction may, in particular, use the devices described in Patent EP 0 243 851 for the laying of cords for carcass reinforcement and EP 0 264 600 for the laying of rubber compounds. The tire can be molded and vulcanized as explained in US Patent 4 895 692.
The tires according to the invention may comprise a carcass reinforcement composed of just one circumferential row of cords anchored in the two beads of the tire, in which case the cords of the carcass reinforcement are in contact radially on the outside with the layer of single cushion compound, as has been described. These tires may just as easily comprise a carcass reinforcement composed of a number of circumferential rows of cords anchored in the two beads. In this case of course only the cords of the circumferential row which is radially furthest toward the outside of the tire are in contact with the layer of single cushion compound.



CLAIM:-
1. A tyre comprising a tread (2) extended by two side-walls and two
beads, a carcass reinforcement anchored in the two beads, the tyre being
composed, under the tread (2), at least of a belt reinforcement and the
carcass reinforcement, said carcass reinforcement being formed of cords
(14), wherein, in the region under the tread:
(a) the cords (14) of the carcass reinforcement which are arranged
furthest toward the inside of the tyre are in contact with a first layer of
cushion compound of low modulus of elasticity (7) which is radially on
the inside relative to said cords (14); and
(b) the cords (14) of the carcass reinforcement which are arranged
furthest toward the outside of the tyre are in contact with a second layer
of cushion compound (15) which is radially on the outside to said cords
(14),
characterized in that said second layer of cushion compound is also in contact with the cords (13) of the belt reinforcement which are arranged radially furthest toward the inside of the tyre.
2. A tyre as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second layer of cushion
compound (15) that is radially on the outside relative to said cords (14)
of the carcass reinforcement which are arranged furthest toward the
outside of the tyre has a high modulus of elasticity.
3. A tyre as claimed in claim 2, wherein a mix of high modulus of
elasticity has a modulus of elasticity of between 7 and 25 MPa.
4. A tyre as claimed in claim 3, wherein a mix of high modulus of
elasticity has a modulus of elasticity of between 9 to 15 MPa.
5. A tyre as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second layer of cushion
compound (15) that is radially on the outside relative to said cords (14)
of the carcass reinforcement which are arranged furthest toward the
outside of the tyre has a low modulus of elasticity.
6. A tyre as claimed in claim 5, wherein the second layer of cushion
compound of low modulus of elasticity (15) arranged radially toward the
outside relative to the cords of the carcass reinforcement which are
arranged furthest toward the outside of the tyre has a damping factor
tan 5 value of less than 0.08.
7. A tyre as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the layer of
layers of cushion compound of low modulus of elasticity (7,15) has/have
a modulus of elasticity of less than 6 MPa.
8. A tyre as claimed in claim 7, wherein the layer of layers of cushion
compound of low modulus of elasticity (7,15) has/have a modulus of
elasticity of between 2 and 5 MPa.
9. A tyre as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the cords
(14) of the carcass reinforcement that are furthest toward the outside of
the tyre are in contact, in the sidewall zone, with a third layer of cushion
compound (16) arranged radially externally of low modulus of elasticity.
10. A tyre substantially as herein before described with reference to
and as illustrated in figure 2.


Documents:


Patent Number 232187
Indian Patent Application Number 851/DEL/1998
PG Journal Number 13/2009
Publication Date 27-Mar-2009
Grant Date 15-Mar-2009
Date of Filing 01-Apr-1998
Name of Patentee COMAGINE GENERALE DES ETABLISSEMENTS MICHELIN -MICHELIN AND CIE
Applicant Address 12, COURS SABLON, F-63040 CLERMONT-FERRAND CEDEX 09, FRANCE.
Inventors:
# Inventor's Name Inventor's Address
1 JEAN-YVES DENOUEIX 9, RUE SOUS-LES BOIS, LES MAUVAISES, 63112 BLANZAT, FRANCE.
2 PEDRO COSTA PEREIRA 16, RUE RAMEAU, 63000 CLERMONT-FERRAND, FRANCE.
3 DANIEL GRIER OSBORNE 845 WESTMORLAND ROAD, GREER, SOUTH CAROLINA 29651, USA
PCT International Classification Number B60C 1/00
PCT International Application Number N/A
PCT International Filing date
PCT Conventions:
# PCT Application Number Date of Convention Priority Country
1 97/04247 1997-04-02 France